PENNINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Service for the Lord’s Day The Third Sunday “Gaudete” in Advent* ~ December 15, 2019 ~
ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME
GATHERING MUSIC As the music begins, please quiet yourself in anticipation of the worship of God.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Nancy Mikoski
PRELUDE Gabriel’s Message Paul Manz
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING The Parsons Family
*HYMN People, Look East Hymnal #105 Verses 1, 4, and 5
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, we need Christ to renew our commitment. We confess that our lack of faith has made us fearf ul. May your angels sing again to us of peace for body and soul. We acknowledge that we have foolishly let our desires lead us astray. May your star once more set our course frmly in your direction. We have turned our faith into a lifeless ritual. May your manger call us again to expressions of love and devotion. We have caref ully kept our gifts and have not freely given our goods and our hearts to you. May the Magi show us the spirit of giving. Lord, may your Spirit linger in our hearts and bring us renewal in our lives. (silent confession) Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
RESPONSE He Came Down Hymnal #137
PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Bill Traubel Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts and your Spirit govern our lives until at last we see the f ulfllment of your realm of justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Titus 2:11-14 Pew Bible pg. 1087
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Christine James
(Young worshippers may return to their pews to worship with their families, or they may go to Child Care in Room 102 in the Nursery School building. Visitors welcome.)
Worship notes: *congregation is invited to stand | Bold is to be said by congregation 2 GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2:1-7 Pew Bible pg. 933
GOD’S STORY PROCLAIMED #CHRISTMASHAM lyrics begin on page 9
GIVE THANKS TO GOD
CALL FOR THE OFFERING AND MOMENT OF FRIENDSHIP
OFFERTORY They’ll Be Back Lin-Manuel Miranda instrumental
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION God of wonder, we ofer these humble gifts, signs of your goodness and mercy. Receive them with our gratitude, that all people may know the riches of your love in the Word-made-fesh, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
BIDDING PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
GO IN GOD’S NAME
*HYMN A Stable Lamp Is Lighted Hymnal #160
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Bill Wolaver
Worship notes: *congregation is invited to stand | Bold is to be said by congregation
3 PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: We pray each week for members listed alphabetically in our church directory: Grace Clarke; David Coats, Janet Bamford, Peter, Gregory & Julie Coats; Jefrey, Liz, Connor & Emma Coats; John & Pat Coats; and Margy Coats.
PENNINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF Pastor: Rev. Nancy Mikoski Pastor Emeritus: Rev. William McQuoid Pastoral Assistant: Rev. Dr. Nancy Schluter Seminary Intern: Christine James Director of Music Ministries: Megan Coiley Organist: Don Dolan Director of Youth Music Ministries: Phil McMillan Bell Choir Director: Laura McMillan Interim Director of Middle School Ministry: Lee White Finance Administrator: Pamela Paluzzi Interim Director of High School Ministry: Ellen White Treasurer: John Coats Director of Pennington Presbyterian Nursery School: Hope Anderson Office Administrator: Jenny Valdez
Welcome! We extend a warm greeting to newcomers & visitors and invite you to join fully in the life of our church. For printed information, please stop by the Visitors Welcome Table in the narthex.
Children’s Bibles are available. Please feel free to look for one for your child and take it to where you are seated. Children’s worship bags with paper, crayons, etc., are also available. A special space for parents and babies is available with a rocking chair and foam padding for little ones. Nursery care is provided in Room 102 throughout the morning.
Reserved parking is available for people who must park close to our entrances. We are all mindful and respect the special needs of others.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We appreciate your consideration in not taking fash pictures and in silencing cell phones during services, as it is disruptive to the worship. Thank you.
We also ask that you refrain from posting audio or video content from #christmasham online. We are so excited to have the rights to bring you this production. We are also mindful that we only have the rights to present it in this space, but not to post Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music online without consent.
4 THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, December 15 THURSDAY, December 19 • 9:00am - #christmasham rehearsal (Sanctuary) • 6:30pm - Bell choir rehearsal (Balcony loft) • 9:00am - Christian Education Hour for children, • 8:00pm - Adult Choir rehearsal (Upper Titus) youth, and adults (classrooms) FRIDAY, December 20 • 10:15am - Worship Service (Sanctuary) • 7:00pm - Fresh Start Al-Anon family group • 11:30am - Fellowship (Upper Titus) • 6:30pm - Sunday Night Central caroling SUNDAY, December 22 • 6:30pm - Genesis Choir, Grades 2-5 (Room 206) • 9:00am - Adult Choir Rehearsal (Upper Titus) • 9:00am - Christian Education Hour for children, TUESDAY, December 17 youth, and adults (classrooms) • 7:00pm - Stewardship meeting • 10:15am - Worship Service (Sanctuary) WEDNESDAY, December 18 • 11:30am - Fellowship (Upper Titus) • 6:30pm - Gloria Deo, Grades 6-12 (Upper Titus) • 11:45am - Family Christmas Eve service rehearsal • 12:45am - Sr. High Youth Group lunch • 6:30pm - Genesis Choir for Grades 2nd to 5th - (Room 206)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY NIGHT CAROLING Tonight! SNC and senior high students will go caroling at 6:30pm and then gather back at church for hot chocolate and Christmas Cookies. Dress warmly and bring a fashlight! Parents: please pick up students in Heritage Hall at 8:00pm.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES - MARK YOUR CALENDARS! December 24: • 5:00pm - Family Service • 10:00pm - Carols and Candlelight Service December 25 • 10:00am - informal service Invite your loved ones, friends, and family to attend with you!
CHRISTMAS OFFERING Gifts designated for the special ofering should be put in a Christmas ofering envelope. These gifts will support Arm in Arm’s Emergency Utilities Fund, TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen), and Living Waters for the World partnerships in the Yucatan. All other gifts in the ofering plate will support the overall ministry of the church.
YEAR-END GIFTS must be at the church by Dec. 31 to qualify for 2019 tax-year. Thank you for supporting our ministries!
LOOKING AHEAD…
5 EPIPHANY STARS Back in early January, we celebrated Epiphany Sunday. Everyone was invited to receive a star with a word on it. That word was a gift for refection throughout the year. When you received your word, you were encouraged to think and pray about it, and pay attention to the world around you in relation to your word. The stars are a way for us to open ourselves to an epiphany experience: one in which the light of God shines in and we fnd new meaning, insight, calling, or inspiration.
Here are some questions for refection: how do you feel about your word? Do you like it or do you wish you had another? Why do you react to it as your do? Have you asked God to use your word as a window, helping you to see or experience something this year. On Epiphany Sunday, January 5, 2020, you will have an opportunity to share something about your experience this year with your word if you like. If you didn’t get a star and would like one, please contact Rev. Nancy Mikoski at [email protected].
PRAYING FOR PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ONE COUNTRY AT A TIME UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
This week we are praying for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in the Middle East between Oman and Saudi Arabia and bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s capital. The equator runs through the southern part of the UAE. Summer months are the hottest and temperatures over 110 have been recorded. The people of UAE are known as Emiratis. There are approximately 9.7 million people living in the UAE, and immigrants (including expatriate workers) make up more than 88% of the total population. The small minority of the population who are citizens receive certain perks not available to other residents, including tax breaks and monetary transfers. Life expectancy is 78.7 years. The literacy rate is 93% for males and 96% for females. Women account for about 70 per cent of all university graduates and fll around two-thirds of government jobs.
While Arabic is the ofcial language, many residents of the UAE also speak English and guest workers most often speak languages from which they originated, including Hindi, Mulayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, and Persian. Islam is the UAE’s ofcial religion, claimed by 76% of the population. Smaller segments of the population (each under 10%) claim Christianity, Hindu and Buddhist adherence. While the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice, there are restrictions that signifcantly restrict missionary activity. As one example, attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims are not permitted.
The UAE is a federation made up of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ra’s al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain and Fujairah. Before the UAE union was established in 1971 the region was for many years a British protectorate, and archeological evidence shows that the area has been settled by humans for thousands of years. The UAE's economy was historically dependent on fshing and the pearling industry. Since the discovery of oil, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living.
Political parties are banned in the UAE. The country is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers, composed of seven emirs representing each region. This Council appoints the prime minister and the cabinet. The president of the UAE is the emir of Abu Dhabi, the major oil producing region and the vice President (who is usually also the prime minister) is the head of Dubai, the major commercial center of the country.
The UAE is located on a fat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert. There are mountains in the east, and the nation’s highest point is about fve thousand feet. Traditional sports include falconry and racing horses, camels, salukis (a breed of dog), and dhows (type of ship). Modern sports include soccer, golf, polo, tennis, rugby, sailing, and yacht and motor racing. Emiratis are zealous soccer fans.
6 Waters of the Persian Gulf along Abu Dhabi hold the world's largest population of Indo-Pacifc humpbacked dolphins. The national animal of the UAE is the Arabian Oryx, a species of antelope, and the falcon is the national symbol. Overhunting has signifcantly reduced wildlife in the UAE, but large terrestrial mammals still found in the United Arab Emirates include the Arabian tahr, the Arabian Oryx, the sand gazelle, and the mountain gazelle. Over four hundred species of birds have been recorded in the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE did not experience the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East in 2010-11, partly because of the government's multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment. There are a number of important international concerns with which the UAE struggles. The nation’s dependence on oil is a signifcant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversifed countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UAE’s position as a major fnancial center makes the country vulnerable to money laundering. Anti-money-laundering controls are improving, but informal banking remains unregulated.
Other concerns include the environment, illicit drugs, and treatment of guest workers and women. Environmental issues include invasive species, carbon footprints, limited water resources, overfshing, waste generation, air pollution, and land degradation and desertifcation. The UAE is a drug transshipment point for trafckers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries. Humanitarian groups, like Amnesty International, have tried to bring attention to the hardships and danger for migrant workers who are critical to construction in the UAE. There is also unequal or harsh treatment of women and domestic workers.
Church Office: (609) 737-1221, #10 E-mail: [email protected] www.pennpres.org www.facebook.com/pennpres
* = “Gaudete” is Latin for “joy.” Traditionally, Advent is a season of waiting, preparing, contemplation, and penitence. In the midst of a challenging and refective season, we celebrate the third Sunday in particular. This respite reminds us that we have joy in the coming birth of Christ.
7 #CHRISTMASHAM
Lyrics by: Music by: Rachel Erin Stuart Lin-Manuel Miranda
CAST LIST
In order of appearance:
Elizabeth - Megan Coiley Angel - Laura McMillan Shepherds - Sophia Parsons, Haylee Wizinski Magi: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar - Cary Bruestle, Susan Danser, Amy Pzczolkowski Mary - Anna Mikoski Joseph - Leo Schmidt Zechariah - Joel Pzczolkowski John the Baptist - Nancy Schluter. Matthew/Mark/Luke/John - Kaitlin Pietras, Hannah Pietras, Ellen White, George White King Herod - Lee White Ensemble/Angels - The Adult Choir Baby John the Baptist - Caleb McMillan
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Blessed Virgin Miriam “Alexander Hamilton”
Elizabeth or Zechariah: Angel: How does the Galilean son of the Lord, and the Logos The world-record promised shepherd with love unmeasured Dropped on the middle of a forgotten spot in rural Palestine, For his fock treasured from heaven on high ventured, His unwed mother prob’ly a pariah, In front of the crowds lectured, while lawyers and priests pestered. Grow up to be a rabbi and messiah? For three years he would ofer himself for a world fettered.
Shepherds: Magi: See now the Lord of lords instead of chiding is smiling Unto us a son comes, the child we have sought Behold, the shouts of joy for God’s face on us is shining Too long we had sufered, wait, waiting all for naught We’ll walk on a highway where danger is never striking But there’s freedom in his Kingdom, a peace where war won’t be In Zion our God will cast of all sorrow and sighing taught We’ll rejoice always in what the zeal of the Lord has brought. Elizabeth or Zechariah: For behold, here’s a sign God will rescue us from danger: Mary: A virgin shall conceive and lay her son into a manger. Blessed Virgin Miriam. I am the Blessed Virgin Miriam, Caesar’s called a census, make your way to whence you came, and And now my son has come to save the world— The world is gonna know your name. What’s your name, girl? Just you wait, just you wait.
Joseph: Company: When he was twelve we headed east for the feast--Passover And Jesus told us from his Father he’s sent. Three days later, see Jesus with the rabbis act older, Debate over what the Word meant, while we went,
Zechariah: Company: Went into the Jordan, where John was nearby the wilderness “Jesus, you are My Son the Beloved.” Got baptizéd in the river’s depths, saw the Spirit rest A voice saying: He went to be tempted, it ended when he fended of the Foe.
Elizabeth: He started of preaching heaven comes, and healing everyone. He taught on a mountain blessing some the world had counted less than wanted. Saw men fshin’, wishin’ for a glimpse of the Savior Went to them and sent ‘em out to preach the Word and tend and cure Company: Grantin’ forgiveness and parables to the faithful, Grantin’! Standin’ on a mountain see him glow like an angel Standin’! The crowds gather ‘round, shouting “Blest is our man! Hosanna! God is saving our land!”
9 Company: Mary: Hosanna! God is saving our land! Just you wait, Hosanna! God is saving our land! Just you wait, Hosanna! God is saving our land! Hosanna! (-sanna!) Just you wait!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, We are waiting in the wings for you You could never back down You never feared to speak your mind! Oh, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, When Jerusalem sings for you Will they know why you really came? Will they know how you’ll earn your fame? The world will never be the same, oh
Elizabeth: The donkey’s nearing Bethlehem See if you can spot ‘em. Another people God’s Company: Bringin’ up from the bottom. Just you wait, The Pharisees resented him; The Roman legions got him. Just you wait.
Angels: We sang for him. John the Baptist: Shepherds and Magi: Me? I died for him. Me? I worshipped him. Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary: Joseph: Me? I loved him. And me? It was my wife that bore him! Company: Elizabeth: And your son is gonna save the world, What’s your name, girl? Just you wait!
Blessed Virgin Miriam!
10 Annunciation/Magnifcat “Helpless”
Company Women: Hey, hey, hey, hey… Mary, Women: Helpless! Mary: Look into Your eyes and I know You’re with us Ah, Halle- halle- halle-lujah! Hey! I’m helpless! Ah, Halle- halle- halle-lujah! Praisin’ Your Name and I’m singin’ to You! Oh, you got me:
Mary: I have never been the type to try and grab the spotlight I was doin’ laundry for my father on a hot night When I saw an angel dressed in dazzling array He called my name and began with “Hey.”
Tryin’ to parse his words as he says that You’re with me Somethin’ ‘bout a son and steppin’ into hist’ry I’m just a virgin—it’s a mystery! Women: Grab the angel and say, “Sir, can this thing be?” I’m just a virgin - it’s a mystery!
The angel smiles and tells me what You’re gonna do: Mary, Women: “The Holy Spirit’s gonna overshadow you Helpless! The child will be the son of the Most High God” Look into Your eyes and I know You’re with us And I can see Your face and suddenly I’m: I’m helpless! Praisin’ Your Name and I’m singin’ to You! Joseph: What are you telling me? Angel: Then by all means, lead the way. God’s about to change your life.
Pregnant? Mary: Joseph! I think I’m pregnant.
Mary: Angel: Please don’t leave me for this. With God’s Son.
Angel: Joseph: I’ll leave you to it. If it takes this for God to save us, it will have been worth it.
Mary: Company: One week later I’m travelin’ to my cousin, “Jesus, you are My Son the Beloved.” And she feels a jump of joy inside her from her own son Laughin’ cause she’s pregnant when we thought that she was barren. Elizabeth: I’m just sayin’—that’s a pretty crazy holy errand!
11 Mary: Mary, Women: Ha! Helpless! Two weeks later she’s convinced that I’m favored Look into Your eyes and I know You’re with us And I don’t know what I should think of carryin’ the Savior. I’m helpless! A life inside, says a sign divine Praisin’ Your Name and I’m singin’ to You! And I’m tryin’ not to cry ‘Cause there’s nothing our Most High can’t do. Mary: The angel told me You were doin’ somethin’ new I’ll have Your child. I’ll have Your child! I’m thinkin’, “Can this really even be true?” But I believe that You will save us too. So I say yes to You, smiling, and I’m…
Eliza, I am givin’ glory to the Lord My spirit will praise, for all of my days, rejoice in the Lord The world will tell my story, our God has magnifed, A maiden of low estate is now the Lord’s own bride I’ve tried to understand, but this defes all explanation This is our salvation, mercy for every generation The strength that God has shown is never in doubt He’s thrown a feast for all the hungry and the rich he’s thrown out He’s made the prideful face reality within their own hearts He’s emptied thrones for all the meek, given them new starts But Abraham and Sarah God has never forgot He’s kept the covenant, Eliza, so that we Would never feel so...
Women: Helpless! Mary: Helpless! Halle- halle- halle-lujah! Helpless! Halle- halle- halle-lujah!
Helpless! Elizabeth: Helpless! Yo, the world is gon’ be fne cause the Lord is in it. Helpless! Mary: Hosanna! God is saving our land! I look into Your eyes and I know You’re with us. Hosanna! God is saving our land! Praisin’ your name, and I’m singin’ to you. Hosanna! God is saving our land! Helpless!
12 Emmanuel “Satisfed”
Zechariah: Alright, alright—that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Now before we get to dancing… Let’s say the blessings for the newlyweds—and the wine!
Joseph: Company: Blessed are you, Are you, are you, are you… O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord… King Eternal Eternal, eternal, eternal… For the humans that you form. That you form, that you form… You make Zion To Zion! To the revolution! Rejoice with all who dwell All who dwell, all who dwell within her walls… May we live to see Live to see. Emmanuel. Rewind!
I remember it well, when night fell, good news to tell of Emmanuel’s birth I remember that angel’s face looming over my own, my face to search I remember that frozen feeling, helpless in shock like you’ve lost all nerve But when the angel tells me that you’ve come here to dwell upon the earth I can’t handle what I’ve heard You can’t be prepared where the Lord is concerned The babe that she bears is the God of this world The creating Word, and the saving Word This feels so absurd!
Angel: Do not fear, for the prophet spoke of one named Emmanuel.
I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. Please explain yourself. God with us. The child Emmanuel.
Isaiah? God is sending you Emmanuel.
I don’t understand what you’re saying Blessed Virgin Miriam
She’s some kind of saint? She’s been chosen, and her son is gonna save the world Just you wait, just you wait…
Joseph: 13 Mary: Joseph: Please don’t leave me for this. If it takes this for God to save us, it will have been worth it. Angel: I’ll leave you to it. I know my fancée like I know my own mind You will never fnd anyone as honest or as kind If this child weren’t from God she wouldn’t try to justify She would sigh Company: She would not deny— She’s not lying!
But still I fantasize at night And wish for normal lives. I fnd I can’t surmise just why It is that we have God’s eyes. So fxed upon us. At least I’ll rear a child with my wife. At least I’ll see God’s light in my life.
Joseph: Company: Blesst are you, Are you, are you, are you… O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord… King Eternal Eternal, eternal, eternal… For the humans that you form. That you form, that you form… You make Zion To Zion! To the revolution! Rejoice with all who dwell All who dwell, all who dwell within her walls… May we live to see Live to see. Emmanuel. Emmanuel.
And I know Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel… This is where You’ve come to dwell Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel… And I know Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel… She’ll be raising Emmanuel I’ll be raising Emmanuel…
14 Peace to All Humankind “Washington on Your Side”
Angel: Shepherd: Praise God on high, praise God on high Ev’ry shepherd spends unending hours staring westward Who brings peace to all humankind. Dreaming for the day his peasant’s eforts turn to legend Praise God on high, praise God on high One night these heralds suddenly appear to bring a message Who brings peace to all humankind. From heaven up above descended downward to address us At frst there’s one celestial terrifying with just one gesture The way he just appears from nowhere like some ghostly specter. He tells us “Do not fear! May God reign forever and ever! In David’s town this day is born for you a Savior. Within a manger you’ll fnd him, as if it’s his bed Go forth and make your way down through the desert ahead, where you’ll be as guests accepted.” Then with the angel there’s a multitude to tell the story: Angel, Company: A whole chorus fying, singing loud of God’s grace and glory. Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind. Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind. Caspar, Balthazar: Look up at the star so bright Melchior: Which I found! Magi: Our heavenly guide. Angel, Magi, Company: Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind. Melchior: Praise God on high, praise God on high Ev’ry star in the skies has signifcance. Who brings peace to all humankind. All of the horrors and joys of this world can be found in the skies.
Caspar: Balthazar: These are your guides! Stars do not lie!
Melchior: Swift we fy across the wide desert Learn how to read them, and you will be wise. Like messengers sent from high heaven, ride westward.
As soon as we dismount, we’re of to fnd Herod. Say, “Where is the child?”
Herod calls council and hears from his scribes. Caspar: Herod says, “Search now, and fnd me the child.” Balthazar: Of we go searching; the star leads the way. Melchior, Balthazar: Herod, an angel says, means to betray.. Onward to Bethlehem, look for the savior-king. God sent his chosen ones seeking the reign he’ll bring. Gold, myrrh, and frankincense take him, his praises sing. Pray this King Herod’s betrayal he’ll safely evade.
15 Shepherds, Magi, Company Magi: Oh! Salvation is born to the nations today! Oh! Salvation is coming to show us the way! Oh! Let’s go to Bethlehem-town where the child is! Oh! Head for the horizon, fnd out who the Messiah is! Oh! We are going to worship the King of all kings: Oh! The Creator of all form whose hands new life springs. Oh! Magi, Company: We are going to worship the King of the Jews Tell the good news, all of this proves how Angel, Magi, Company: God’s Spirit moves. Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind. Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind. Shepherds: Praise God on high, praise God on high: We are going to worship the King of all kings!
Magi: Praise God on high, praise God on high: The Ruler above all things.
Magi, Company: Angel, Magi, Company: With gifts for the newborn King, we come to his side, so: Praise God on high, praise God on high Who brings peace to all humankind.
16 The Evangelists Write “The Story of Tonight”
John: Synoptics: I may not live to see his glory, I may not live to see his glory, But I will gladly sit and write. But I will gladly sit and write. So when our people tell God’s story, So when our people tell God’s story, They’ll tell the story of tonight. Mark: Matthew: Let’s write a Gospel here tonight. Let’s write a Gospel here tonight. John: Luke: Let’s write a Gospel here tonight. In the days of Caesar Mary, Joseph went to Bethlehem, When Herod ruled Judea, Matthew: As the Lord said it would be done. Matthew, Luke: The virgin shall conceive a son. Synoptics: Emmanuel shall be his name. John: The Word of God has come to us. Matthew, Mark: In the days of Herod, John: Mary, Joseph went to Bethlehem. The Word of God is with us. Emmanuel shall be his name. Luke: Raise a glass to the four of us. Evangelists: They’ll argue over more of us Luke, John: Telling the story of tonight. Matthew, Mark: Let’s write a Gospel here tonight.
The Word of God has come tonight. In the days of Herod… The Word of God has come tonight. In the days of Herod… The Word of God has come tonight. Let’s write a Gospel here…
Evangelists: Tonight.
17 They’ll Be Back “You’ll Be Back/What Comes Next?”
King Herod: They say Those three Persian priests aren’t returning to show me the way Did they guess? If they don’t return, then I don’t know what I will do next I’m so blue. It’d be so much simpler if I could just kill him today No, this won’t do I can’t have more royals around—what will they all say of me?
They’ll be back. Soon you’ll see Those three kings will soon return to me. They’ll be back. Time will tell. They will take me to the boy as well. Oceans rise, Empires fall; No usurper will transgress my hall, And if push comes to shove I will kill your friends and family so that none can rise above.
Da da da dat da, dat da da da dayada, da da dat dat dayada!
Everybody! Company, Congregation: Da da da dat da, dat da da da dayada, da da dat dat dayada!
18 Dear John the Baptist “Dear Theodosia”
Elizabeth: Mary: Dear John the Baptist, what to say to you? Oh, You have my eyes, you have this strange new name. Jesus, when you smile I am undone. When you came into the world, you cried, God’s Son! And it broke my heart. Look at my son. There’s no way of comprehending this. I’m still amazed every day by you The Holy Spirit is inside you now We didn’t buy that I could bear a child. Oh, When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart, Jesus, you who made the morning sun, And I thought I was so smart. God’s Son! You will be a herald of salvation. When you smile, I fall apart, Each valley shall be flled, and every mount and hill And I thought I was so smart. Will be leveled for a new foundation. The rough ways smooth will be, so all the world can see God blow us all away… Someday, someday. God will blow us all away Someday, someday
Joseph: Zechariah: I never know what to say. I never know what to say.
I swear I’ll… …learn what to say for you.
Mary, Joseph: Elizabeth, Zechariah: I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll make a million mistakes.
Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah: I will prepare the way for you. …will be the bearer of salvation. Each valley shall be flled, and every mount and hill Will be leveled for a new foundation. The rough ways smooth will be, so all the world can see That you’ll blow us all away Someday, someday. Mary, Joseph: Someday, someday. Magi: So what’d I miss?
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